Directed by Roberta Paraninfo, the choir wins the Gran Premio Città di Arezzo, thus rightfully entering the 2026 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing and is divided into several categories of the 73rd International Polyphonic Competition Guido d’Arezzo

It was a triumph for Sibi Consoni, the Italian choir directed by Roberta Paraninfo, which won the Gran Premio “Città di Arezzo” – thus rightfully entering the 2026 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing – and numerous awards at the 73rd International Polyphonic Competition Guido d’Arezzo, the oldest European festival dedicated to choral music with the artistic direction entrusted to Luigi Marzola. Thousands of attendees, almost all sold out, a week of concerts, choristers from all over the world and a special edition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: the prestigious competition saw Sibi Consoni stand out in several sections (section 1 mixed choirs, section 2 sacred music program, section 4 monographic program and City of Arezzo Grand Prix). The choir also received a special mention for the performance of the piece “Eternity”, recognized by the jury for its intensity and refinement of interpretation. The festival, organized by Fondazione Guido d’Arezzo under the presidency of mayor Alessandro Ghinelli and the direction of Lorenzo Cinatti, proposed a rich calendar of events, all with free admission, which took place in the most iconic places of Arezzo such as the Cathedral of Saints Pietro e Donato, Medicean Fortress and tge Gothic Basilica of San Domenico. The event has the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Tuscany Region, the Municipality of Arezzo, the CR Firenze Foundation and the contribution of Unoaerre Italian Jewelery, Discover Arezzo.

Other awards and special mentions:

the Paul Prize in Maria Teresa honor was awarded to The Mad Singers choir in Hong Kong, directed by Chi Hin Danny Wu and Christien Wong; the same ensemble also won section 3, profane music program. The recognition for medieval liturgical monodic chant (section 6) went to the Italian-Spanish Schola Cantorum Cantus fugiens, directed by Chiara Mazzoletti. Finally, a special mention for the performance at the International Folk Singing Festival was attributed to the Volantis Vocal Ensemble, an Italian choir directed by Benedetta Nofri.

The 2025 edition was entirely dedicated to the celebration of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, a great master of Renaissance polyphony. A week of sacred and profane music, popular and Gregorian songs which had as its inaugural moment, on 20th August in the Basilica of San Domenico, the special concert “La vertigine del Cantico”. The program includes the performance of “Il Cantico dei Cantici” by Palestrina, one of the composer’s highest and most poetic works published in 1584. Performing, the Ensemble De Labyrintho, among the most appreciated ensembles in Europe for the interpretation of the ancient repertoire, under the direction of Walter Testolin.

The Fondazione Guido d’Arezzo has stood out since 1952 as the most important stage for choral expressions in the entire world, organizing the National Polyphonic Competition, the International Composition Competition established, the European Grand Prize for Choral Singing with partners from Tolosa (Basque Country, Spain), Debrecen (Hungary), Varna (Bulgaria), Maribor (Slovenia) and Jūrmala (Latvia) and the Higher School for Choir Directors, a three-year course and annual specialization master’s degree intended for the formation of choir directors.